Since Alfric had stamped on my leg, it was healing all wrong. I knew because of the way Colt looked at the swelling and the odd angle the bone was setting. When the painkillers wore off, I was in agony. Hot sweats chased me through the night, followed by freezing spells of shivers.
Something was wrong, very wrong. And If I didn't get serious medical attention soon, or some damn V blood, I was in trouble.
Colt came to me in the evening and I gazed over the edges of my blanket, currently in the midst of one of my shivering stages. My teeth chattered as he quietly shut the door and crossed the room, carrying a thick blanket in his arms.
The light from the dim lamp on the bedside table caught in his silver eyes, so bright against his coppery his skin. The skull bandanna was in place as usual, hiding his features from me.
He lay the blanket over me, glancing back at the door as he did so.
“L-Lynch doesn't know y-you're here, d-does he?” I guessed. I always spoke to him, despite the fact he rarely answered. But I vastly preferred Colt's company to Lynch's. Captor or not.
Colt remained silent, lifting a hand and resting it against my forehead. His brows pulled together then he reached into his pocket, producing a small vial of something dark red.
I gasped in recognition and Colt immediately placed a hand over my mouth to keep me quiet. But I could barely contain myself. That had to be V blood.
“You're going to die.” His voice was a deep growl that sent a shiver down my spine. It was the first words he'd spoken to me in days and they made me question the illusion of safety I'd started to feel around him. “If I do nothing, you'll die,” he said, as if reiterating it to himself.
I nodded beneath his palm, my eyes sliding to the V blood. I was weak, but if I could get a hold of it, drink it quick enough-
His large fist tightened around it. “I can't give it to you all at once,” he whispered, his eyes sliding to the door and back to me in a measured movement.
I nodded again, my heart beating hard and loud beneath my rib cage.
“Lynch will know I gave it to you otherwise,” he continued, reaching toward the water on my bed stand. Gently, he extracted his hand from my mouth, uncorking the V blood. “Two drops a day.” He tapped the bottle so two measly drops dripped into my water, turning it a very pale shade of pink, barely noticeable in the dark room.
“Drink all of this,” he commanded, handing it to me.
I pushed myself up, taking the glass, not hesitating to down it in one. I needed every bit of help I could get. And two drops of Vampire blood were certainly better than none.
I gulped down a breath when I'd finished the water and Colt took the glass, planting it on the side.
Before he could leave, I asked, “Where are my friends gone? Are they coming back?”
Colt shifted closer and I felt the heat radiating from his body, making me nervous.
“All I know is, I have to keep you alive.”
“So Alfric can let Rockley Jones kill me?” I pursed my lips.
Colt fell quiet again, surveying me. He headed back to the door, pocketing the blood. “Get some rest.”
A warm, fizzing feeling grew in my belly. I'd healed myself with V blood my entire life. I'd taken it for pathetic scratches and blemishes. I'd never really appreciated it before, but it suddenly hit me how truly valuable it was.
Before Colt left, I propped myself up on my elbows and said, “Thank you.”
He paused in the doorway as if he might respond, then stepped out of the room and shut the door with a sharp click. A locking sound followed. After my vague attempt at escape, they weren't taking any chances. But the second I was well enough, I'd have to run. Because I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that if Alfric sent me to Rockley Jones, I was doomed. And it wasn't just death I was frightened of, but of what he'd put me through in penance for my betrayal.
Cass
My heart rate wouldn't settle. And I knew it had nothing to do with the fact I'd recently turned into a full-blown wolf.
I tried to distract myself by blow-drying my hair, but my thoughts were going haywire. In the past couple of hours, so much had happened that I couldn't process it.
Jameson invaded my mind. My skin was still tingling from his presence, and I hated myself for it. And I hated myself even more for how relieved I'd been to see him, how much I'd missed him.
The door opened and I jumped, dragged out of my reverie. I half-hoped Jameson had returned, but it was Silas who entered. He adjusted his bow-tie as he moved toward me. “I managed to steal away from the guests whilst they're being ushered to the dining hall. Are you alright?”
I nodded, then shook my head. “No, not really actually.”
I stood from the chair by the dressing table. Before I could question it, he'd walked forward and pulled me into a hug. “It's a lot to process.” He squeezed my shoulder then pressed me back, grinning. “You did incredibly well in your trial. And who knew you were capable of turning? I wonder why the serum didn't work on you before...” He shook his head, marvelling at me. I didn't much like it.
I stepped away. “I don't know...” I said vaguely. Of all the things on my mind, that probably should have been at the forefront. But it was Jameson who took up residence there.
Silas frowned and his perfectly smooth forehead creased. “What a coincidence that your boyfriend turned up here, huh?”
“He's not my boyfriend,” I said, too harshly.
Silas nodded, his eyes brightening and it occurred to me that maybe he cared for me. The idea was way too much to even entertain at that moment, so I stuffed it into a box at the back of my mind, along with the other concerns I was avoiding day to day. I bit my lip to hold back my next words. But Jameson's pride was not going to stop me from helping him. “That man he's with, Ulvic, he has control of him and the other Werewolves.”
“Control?” Silas questioned. “Of all of them?”
“Yes...I don't understand it fully myself, but Ulvic has them under his power somehow. All he has to do is command them to do what he wants and they have to do it.”
Silas's brows drew together. “I've heard of such things, but I've never witnessed it on such a large scale. Their loyalty to him must be quite fierce, are you sure he's a danger to them?”
“Yes,” I said, my spine straightening. I thought of what Ulvic had done to Jameson in the past and it split my heart open. “They used to be friends, but Ulvic ordered something awful of Jameson...he...” I didn't know if it was my place to say it, but I needed Silas to be on Jameson's side, so he might help him. “Ulvic ordered Jameson to kill half of his pack, to save his own skin.”
Silas nodded slowly, his eyes darkening. “Jesus...poor guy.”
“Now Jameson's stuck under Ulvic's command. He can't escape his orders. And he's had him do more terrible things. Not just him, the whole pack.”
Silas rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful. “Alfric Hund is an old friend of my father's. He's been trying to convince him to become an investor for years. I would have to tread very lightly in helping Jameson.”
“But you will?” I gripped his wrist, hope swelling inside me.
“I'll do what I can.” His gaze skimmed over my lips.
I stepped smoothly away and Silas cleared his throat, moving to the wardrobe and thumbing through the contents. He took out a dark green dress. High-necked, floor-length, with a delicate, black lace trim surrounding the bodice.
“I'm hosting a party for the guests,” he said quietly, laying it on the bed. “I thought...well, I thought this was your colour.”
I nodded, heat growing at the base of my spine. “It's beautiful.”
Silas smiled, heading toward the door. “The other Immortals from The Sanctuary will be there, too. I'm sorry you didn't have a chance to watch their trials.”
I nodded as he opened the door. He lingered there a moment, before saying, “Would it be bold of me to ask you to attend this party at my side?”
My mouth grew dry. He
looked so imperfect standing there, his beautiful features twisted into a look of vulnerability. I preferred him that way.
“No, not too bold,” I answered, a smile fighting its way onto my lips.
He nodded, a grin growing on his face. “I'll wait for you to get dressed, then.”
He shut the door and I hurried to the mirror, leaning forward on the dressing stand to gaze directly into my eyes.
What are you doing?
I should have been running from Silas, not attending parties with him. I glared at myself. Was this about Jameson? Deep down, I knew he'd be at the party with Ulvic.
I sighed, leaning closer to gaze at my face. Since I'd been made into a Hybrid, I'd lost some of the absolute beauty the Vampire curse had given me. I looked more normal. Which made me a lot more comfortable in my own skin. I saw my old self gazing back at me, but she wasn't quite the same hardened woman she'd once been. Her eyes were softer. Her face didn't shut out the world so tightly. Had Jameson changed that, or had Silas? Or had it been something else entirely?
I shed my robe, pulling on the gown and admiring it in a free-standing mirror.
I left my hair loose, hanging in soft curls around my shoulders. I turned to one side, eyeing my belly. Still no bump. No nothing. I ran my hand across my stomach, then dropped it, shaking my head at myself in the mirror. The idea of me as a mother was ludicrous. I'd wanted a family once, but prison had kind of dried out and shrivelled up that future. I was a felon. I'd killed people. I shouldn't ever be responsible for raising a child. What I'd done after I'd found out my ex had cheated on me was abominable. The fire I'd set in his block of flats had killed so many people. Families. Children.
My throat burned and tears hovered in my eyes. I glared at myself in the mirror. No child should have to grow up with a murderer for a mother.
I muttered curses at myself before heading to the door, battling my emotions away. I was good at hiding the pain, the guilt, the anger at myself. Sometimes I felt I'd dealt with the horrors of my past, other times it felt so close that I could feel the smoke curling in the back of my throat. I smelt the petrol I'd poured over his possessions, tasted it on my tongue.
I plastered a smile on my face and opened the door. Silas kicked off of the wall he'd been leaning against, moving toward me with a hungry look in his eyes. “You look incredible.” He took my hand, placing a kiss on the back of it and I swatted him away, forcing a laugh.
“Come on, Firefly. Everyone's dying to meet you.”
I'd assumed he'd been joking, but when I entered the grand, old dining room at Silas's side, I was swarmed by a rush of potential investors.
For several long minutes, I was drowned in questions about my trial and congratulated on my performance. Silas kept at my side, chatting politely with his guests. All of whom seemed desperate to fund his projects. I couldn't help but hate them. Every one of them would be funding IDAHO's vile experiments.
Across the low-lit room, I caught sight of a group of Immortals being hounded by more investors. I gasped as I spotted Kodiak amongst them, forcing my way past the woman in front of me and darting toward him. I searched for anyone else I knew, but the others were strangers, people I'd known only by sight at The Sanctuary. Did that mean my friends had escaped? I made a mental note to ask Silas about them, but fear lanced through me at the thought that they hadn't survived their 'transformations'.
“Did you arrive with him?” Kodiak growled as I approached him.
I glanced over my shoulder, finding Silas's eyes pinned on me. I turned back to Kodiak, my cheeks heating up. “Yes, but he's not all bad.”
“Not all bad?” he snarled. “Are you insane? He had us cut open, turned us into -to-”
The investors backed away, muttering between themselves as they listened to our conversation.
Kodiak grunted his annoyance, not needing to finish that sentence. Perhaps I'd been too easy on Silas lately. I closed my eyes, taking a moment to centre my thoughts. “Have you been treated okay?”
“If you count being monitored daily and being fed hunks of meat every day as okay, then I suppose so.” He was clearly furious, his eyes aflame. I should have still felt that way. Why didn't I? Guilt burrowed its way into my chest.
“How can you stand being near him?” Kodiak didn't let it lie.
“It's his father who did this, not him,” I insisted, but even as I said it, I knew it sounded pathetic.
Kodiak let out a humourless laugh. “You believe that? Because I haven't seen anyone else throwing orders around here.”
“He's at another institute,” I said, but my argument was diminishing in strength. Silas was in charge here. Even if he was acting on his father's instructions.
I caught sight of Ulvic entering the room at Alfric's side. Behind him were his Werewolves. They'd all been given fine clothes to wear, the girls in gowns and the men in suits. Jameson's bow-tie was loose around his neck; he clearly wasn't bothered about looking smart. Nadine's arm was hooked through his, her red gown splitting up one leg.
Ulvic caught my eye, giving me a glare that told me to keep away. I stared evenly back for a moment, before turning away.
I'll do as I please, Ulvic Hund.
“We should make a run for it,” Kodiak lowered her voice and some of the other Immortals gathered closer. “We're strong. We can take on a few guards.” His eyes slid to the suited men flanking the doors. From the looks of the high-powered guns at their hips, I wasn't convinced.
“Perhaps I can talk to Silas, see if he'll let us leave? He's reasonable,” I urged, not wanting anymore blood to be spilled on this ship. “We've done what he's asked. I don't see why we need to stay much longer.”
“Because he'll want to keep doing tests on us,” Kodiak said. “And I'm done with it.”
“Just let me try,” I begged. I didn't want anyone to get hurt. Surely Silas would let us go? He'd collected plenty of data on us. If he wanted to make more Hybrids, he could.
“If he doesn't say yes by the end of the ball, I'm escaping with or without you,” Kodiak said, gesturing for me to return to Silas.
I hesitated before leaving, my heart feeling heavy. “Are any more of our friends here? Thames..?” I trailed off. I knew Kodiak cared about her. If she was onboard, he'd try to save her. I was sure of it.
“I don't think any humans were brought here,” he muttered, his eyes softening a fraction, betraying his relief at that fact.
I nodded, gripping his arm briefly before slipping away and heading back toward Silas. Before I reached him, Rockley Jones marched into the room in a glittery blue top and a black cape. His dreadlocks were bound in two pigtails and diamonds sparkled in his ears.
“Silas! My old friend.” He looped an arm around his shoulders, guiding him away from me toward a bar.
“Dammit,” I muttered. The investors were circling me again and I hurried away to a quieter corner of the room. I didn't much like the idea of approaching Silas whilst he was in the company of Rockley Jones, but I was desperately curious as to what they were saying.
At one end of the room, a band started up, playing jazz music. I pretended to be listening, moving through the crowd, but creeping closer to the bar with every step.
Rockley and Silas were sat on two stools, drinking whiskey. I darted into a shadowy corner close by, using my heightened senses to pick up their conversation.
“- know how you can stand being in their company,” Rockley was saying, knocking back his drink before ordering another. “Dey're lesser creatures. Your experiments interest me, yes, but de way you treat dem as equals...” Rockley visibly shuddered.
“Times are changing, Mr Jones. The Immortals are a part of this world as much as we are. And there will soon come a time when humanity is made aware of their existence.”
Rockley spat a laugh. “Dat would cause riots in de streets.”
“Not if we're prepared,” Silas said. “My father's work will provide cures to human diseases, illnesses, think of the possibilities on
ce we harness the cure to humanity.”
Rockley nodded slowly. “And I suppose dere would be great profit in dis?”
“Of course. But the fine details are still undecided. Our work is dangerous in the wrong hands.”
“But you trust dese investors?” Rockley glanced over his shoulder and I shrank further into the shadows.
“Many of them have family members who are ill, or wish to pay the price for Immortality themselves. They are simply the first in line for the treatments IDAHO is going to offer.”
“Enlighten me.” Rockley gestured with his glass. “What will you first bring onto de market?”
“Vampire blood has always been one of the simplest and most effective healing treatments. We have, however tried to eliminate the unethical side of obtaining it. We're currently in the final stages of testing a replica blood. Once we can procure it ourselves without the extraction from Vampires, it will be ready.”
Rockley laughed. “You talk of Vs as if dey have feelings, Mr Madigan. I don't understand dis way of thinking.”
“Your background is quite different to mine. And yet you responded to our invitation to come here. I have to wonder why you attended if you're not interested in becoming an investor?”
Rockley gave him an assessing look. “Perhaps I was simply curious, no?”
“I believe there's more to it than that...”
Rockley glanced over his shoulder again and my heart hammered in my chest. He lowered his voice, leaning toward Silas. “In all honesty, I heard IDAHO raided Brendan Grey's Sanctuary, and I believe you are harbouring someone of interest to me.”
“If it's the Grey girl you're after, she's not here.” Silas sat up straighter, but I couldn't see his expression.
“Perhaps...” Rockley moved closer, trying to threaten Silas with his body language, but he didn't seem fazed. “But that red-headed little friend of hers is...”
Wolf Games (The Vampire Games Book 4) Page 22
